By Longtong Ibrahim
New Incentives – All Babies are Equal (NI – ABAE), a non-government organization have revealed plans to expand it program of Conditional Cash Transfer for Routine Immunization to Sokoto and Bauchi state.
The program support mothers who take their children for immunization at facilities with cash sum of 4000, aimed at boosting morale in the uptake of immunization.
According to a communiqué jointly signed by NI-ABAE’s National Partners, the program has enrolled over 450,000 infants whose caregivers have received over 1.2 billion naira in Conditional Cash Transfer in the implementing states of Katsina, Jigawa and Zamfara.
It also noted that, an independent impact assessment of NI-ABAEs CCTs for RI program (2017 – 2020) found that the program increases the likelihood that children would be fully immunized by 27 percentage points, and increases rates of individual vaccinations by 14 to 21 percentage points.
“Beyond vaccination, the assessment found that the program contributed to improved knowledge about vaccination among caregivers in the catchment areas served by the program.
“The project has improved caregivers’ healthcare seeking behaviour and uptake of health care services across implementing States, which in turn promotes facility visits & reduces morbidity and mortality rate of neonates and infants
“The New Incentives – All Babies Are Equal Initiative will continue to support demand creation and other components of routine immunization in the 5 States and by proxy at the national level.